Lachlan Murdoch and David Cordani: Career, Net Worth and Connection

October 2, 2026
Anaya
Written By Anaya

I’m Anaya, a content writer and SEO expert with 2 years of experience in creating captions, quotes, celebrity biographies and social media content.

When people search for Lachlan Murdoch and David Cordani, they are often looking for information about two highly successful executives whose careers developed in very different industries. 

Lachlan Murdoch is a prominent media executive and heir to Rupert Murdoch’s business empire, while David Cordani built a more than three-decade career at The Cigna Group in the healthcare sector.

There is no well-documented family relationship, partnership, or joint business venture between the two. Their most notable documented connection is that both were among the chief executives who signed Business Roundtable’s 2019 Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation.

Lachlan Murdoch and David Cordani Profile Summary

DetailLachlan MurdochDavid Cordani
Full NameLachlan Keith MurdochDavid M. Cordani
Date of BirthSeptember 8, 1971February 10, 1966
BirthplaceLondon, EnglandWaterbury, Connecticut, USA
NationalityAustralian-American-BritishAmerican
ProfessionMedia executive, businessmanBusiness executive
EducationPrinceton UniversityTexas A&M University; University of Hartford
Current Role in 2026Executive Chair & CEO, Fox Corporation; Chair, News CorpExecutive Chair, The Cigna Group
FatherRupert MurdochJohn Cordani
MotherAnna dePeysterSusan Cordani
SpouseSarah O’HareSherry Cordani
Children32
2025/2026 Wealth EstimateAbout A$3.21 billion in the 2025 AFR Rich ListPublic estimates vary substantially; SEC filings provide ownership and compensation data
Main IndustryMedia and entertainmentHealthcare and health services

Lachlan current Fox leadership is confirmed by Fox Corporation, while Cigna states that Cordani became Executive Chair after stepping down as CEO in July 2026.

Early Life and Background

Lachlan Murdoch’s Childhood

Lachlan Keith Murdoch was born on September 8, 1971, in London. He is the eldest son of media magnate Rupert Murdoch and Anna dePeyster.

Although born in England, he spent much of his childhood in the United States after the family moved to New York. His upbringing placed him close to his father’s expanding newspaper and media businesses.

He attended schools in Colorado, New York and Massachusetts before graduating from Princeton University in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. Fox Corporation also confirms his Princeton education.

David Cordani’s Childhood and Education

David M. Cordani was born on February 10, 1966, in Waterbury, Connecticut. He grew up in Connecticut and later pursued higher education in Texas and Connecticut.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the University of Hartford.

Unlike Murdoch, Cordani did not inherit a major media or corporate empire. His career was built primarily through long-term advancement within the healthcare industry.

Net Worth and Financial Profile

Lachlan Murdoch’s Wealth

Lachlan Murdoch’s wealth is closely connected to his ownership interests and position within the Murdoch family’s media holdings, alongside his own investments.

The 2025 Australian Financial Review Rich List estimated his wealth at approximately A$3.21 billion. Historical estimates have fluctuated considerably with changes in the value of media-related assets and investments.

His financial interests have been built through several areas:

  • Leadership and ownership interests associated with Fox Corporation
  • His position as Chair of News Corp
  • Private investments through Illyria Pty
  • His long-term involvement in Australian media
  • Family interests connected to the Murdoch media empire

Fox identifies Murdoch as its Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer and notes his role in establishing Fox as a standalone public company following the 21st Century Fox transaction.

David Cordani’s Wealth

There is no single authoritative public figure that establishes David Cordani complete personal net worth. Estimates from financial-data websites vary because they primarily calculate the value of publicly disclosed securities and may not include private investments or other assets.

For example, GuruFocus estimated his holdings-based wealth at about $189 million in July 2026, while Quiver Quantitative estimated at least $216.5 million around the same period. Other databases have produced substantially different figures. These should therefore be treated as estimates rather than confirmed net worth.

His publicly documented earnings are easier to establish. The Cigna Group 2026 proxy reported $22.87 million in total compensation for 2025, including salary, stock awards, option awards and incentive compensation.

Career and Achievements

Lachlan Murdoch’s Career Timeline

  • 1994: Graduated from Princeton University.
  • 1990s: Began taking increasingly senior positions within the family’s Australian and international media operations.
  • 1996: Became a director of News Corporation.
  • 2005: Founded Illyria Pty, his private investment company.
  • 2009: Became chairman of Nova Entertainment.
  • 2015: Became Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox.
  • 2019: Became Chairman and CEO of the newly formed Fox Corporation following the Disney transaction.
  • 2023: Became sole Chair of News Corp after Rupert Murdoch stepped down from the chairmanship.
  • 2026: Continues as Executive Chair and CEO of Fox Corporation and Chair of News Corp.

His career has therefore extended across newspapers, television, radio, publishing, digital media and corporate investment.

David Cordani’s Career Timeline

  • 1991: Joined Cigna.
  • 2000s: Held multiple senior management positions within the company.
  • 2008: Became President and Chief Operating Officer.
  • 2009: Became CEO of Cigna.
  • 2022: Became Chair of Cigna’s board while continuing as CEO.
  • July 2026: Stepped down as CEO.
  • July 2026 onward: Became Executive Chair of The Cigna Group.

During his tenure, Cigna expanded into a large global health services organization. The company’s board profile says that the organization grew to more than 185 million customer relationships and approximately 67,700 colleagues during his leadership.

Family and Relationships

Lachlan Murdoch’s Family

Lachlan Murdoch is part of one of the world’s best-known media families. His father is Rupert Murdoch, founder and longtime leader of a global media empire.

His siblings include Prudence, Elisabeth, James, Grace and Chloe Murdoch. Lachlan has three children with his wife, Sarah O’Hare.

A significant development in the family’s corporate history came in 2025, when Fox announced a resolution of the Murdoch Family Trust litigation. New trusts were established for Lachlan, Grace and Chloe, while Prudence, Elisabeth and James ceased to be beneficiaries of trusts holding Fox or News Corp shares.

David Cordani’s Family

David Cordani is married to Sherry Cordani. The Cigna Group has publicly identified Sherry as his wife through information about the David and Sherry Cordani Family Foundation.

Public biographical sources report that the couple have two children. Cordani has also maintained a significant charitable presence through the family foundation, which supports organizations focused on community health and well-being.

What Is the Connection Between Lachlan Murdoch and David Cordani?

The two executives come from different industries and have followed separate professional paths. There is no reliable public evidence establishing that they are relatives, business partners, or co-founders of a company.

Their clearest documented connection is Business Roundtable.

In August 2019, Business Roundtable released its Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation, signed by 181 CEOs. The statement emphasized creating long-term value for customers, employees, suppliers, communities and shareholders.

Murdoch signed the statement on behalf of Fox, while Cordani signed in connection with Cigna. Their participation establishes an institutional connection, but it does not by itself demonstrate a close personal or commercial relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Lachlan Murdoch and David Cordani related?

There is no reliable public evidence showing that Lachlan Murdoch and David Cordani are related. They come from different family backgrounds and built careers in different industries.

What is Lachlan Murdoch’s net worth in 2026?

The most recent widely cited Australian estimate available before 2026 placed Lachlan Murdoch’s wealth at about A$3.21 billion in the 2025 Australian Financial Review Rich List. His actual wealth can change with market values and private holdings.

What is David Cordani’s net worth?

A definitive figure is not publicly established. Financial databases using disclosed stock holdings have produced estimates ranging from roughly $189 million to more than $200 million in 2026, but these figures should not be treated as verified total wealth.

Is David Cordani still the CEO of Cigna?

No. Cordani stepped down as CEO effective July 1, 2026, and became Executive Chair of The Cigna Group. Brian Evanko succeeded him as CEO.

Why are Lachlan Murdoch and David Cordani searched together?

Their names are associated because both are prominent corporate executives and both were signatories to Business Roundtable’s 2019 Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation. That documented connection should not be confused with a family relationship or joint business venture.

Conclusion

Lachlan Murdoch and David Cordani represent two very different paths to corporate leadership. Murdoch’s career is deeply connected to the international media empire founded by his father, Rupert Murdoch, while Cordani spent more than three decades building his career at Cigna and eventually leading the company for nearly 17 years.

Their most clearly documented common link is Business Roundtable’s 2019 corporate-purpose initiative. Financially, Murdoch’s wealth is associated largely with media ownership and family interests, while Cordani’s financial profile has been shaped by executive compensation and equity accumulated during his long healthcare career.

As of 2026, Murdoch remains Executive Chair and CEO of Fox Corporation and Chair of News Corp, while Cordani has moved from Cigna’s CEO role to Executive Chair.